This year has definitely taught me a lot. Traveling around taught me a lot. There were a lot of hellos and unfortunately just as many goodbyes.As I got ready for my trip back to Canada, a sense of relief did overcome me. Not because I was coming to Canada so to say but because it would be a while before I would have to say Goodbye again.

This last year has brought so much to my life. I have been so blessed with the people I’ve met who come from all walks of life. From the Ocean-Farmers in Zanzibar, to my neighbors in Kibaha, to the guides on Kili. Every person has added one extra thing to my life. They’ve opened doors to worlds I never knew of. While all of this was exciting and fun , my year was also full of goodbyes. When I left Tanzania, there was a goodbye. When I left Congo, there were goodbyes. When I left the Middle East, there were goodbyes and when I left South Africa, there were goodbyes.

When I left Tanzania , I remember picking up some corn on the cob from the local market and a local drink and just sitting at the entrance of the campus and just taking in that last day. Simply, switching off my brain and feeling. In the Congo, I sat with my friend on a trampoline and gazed upon the stars. If only we could spend everyday just appreciating for a little bit ..

Even though goodbyes are hard, there is something so beautiful about a looming goodbye. And that’s making the most of every moment with those people. We are told to live each day like it’s our last – because one day it will be but it is so difficult to put that into practice. Yet, the nature of my trips..and possibly my personality (spontaneous) made me make the most of every moment I had with those people. Sometimes I would just stop and absorb the moment..not get so caught up in the small things but just be there because in a month – I really didn’t know if I would still be there. And in life, you don’t really know if you’ll be here in a month so try treat it like a vacation where you’re blessed with everything you have and you really don’t know when it will be taken away from you..Today it doesn’t seem like enough …tomorrow it will seem like more than enough..

I’ve come back with a new eye for everything. I am more aware of the difference in the two societies that I’ve come from but at the same time I believe I appreciate the people in my life more. Every person is so important to me now because I know a life without them and it’s a blessing to have them around.

I read a quote the other day, ” Enjoy what you have before it’s taken away from you and you appreciate what you had”. Make the most of every moment. Live as if there is a looming goodbye.